By Myriah Krista Walker

JT: Yes. It's impossible to tell the story exactly as it happened whenever you write a book of this type. Yet this book is about as close as I could get, and I would say is about 90% true. With my first book, EMISSARY OF LIGHT, I was more creative because the story was too hard to tell otherwise.

Myriah: I have witnessed a place like Iona Island upon the Earth in many personal visions, and as I read this experience in the book it was as though I was the energy and space of air upon the rocks. It is the Mother energy that seems to draw the reader into this book, and specifically, as you work with the archetype of Mother Mary. Your comments?

JT: The Island of Iona is interesting because of the ancient energy there. Iona has the energy of the Mother. That fact is one of the things that drew the early Christians to build monasteries and nunneries there, and to this day people go there because of the strong energy. There is a triangle of energy between Glastonbury, Findhorn, and Iona. People are responding to that Mother energy today in profound ways. This is the time of the awakening of the divine feminine within us, the face of compassion, and many of us will identify that through the Blessed Mother. And yet, it's not specifically about her, it's mainly about us. We're the ones that have to accept this within us.

Myriah: It is as though the image of Mother Mary became the reflection of the Beloved Goddess within you. How has that idea of her as a Beloved changed how you work with the Laws of the Church, as you know them?

JT: Well, as many people know I was raised in a very Catholic family, and always had a religious connection to Mary. But my thoughts of her were as if she was beyond us, different and holier than we were. My experience now is that her true role is to bring us to that place within us where she dwells. There's a wonderful quote from A COURSE IN MIRACLES: "Show them that I did not die by the fact that I live within you." This has to be real now, not 2000 years ago. This transformation within people is that they are discovering the truth within themselves now.

Myriah: What interests me is your connection to the Divine via the path of the Church. Yet you also have many references in this book about the Mother Earth, and the wind speaking to you as a child. Throughout the book it is as though She and Mother Mary overlay one another. Your comments?

JT: Mary is one face of a very powerful presence. Many of us identify that presence with Mary because of the way we were raised. It gives us a way of identifying it. Its true, Mary as an identity has a great deal of value, but at the same time it's so much beyond that. I think that energy is going to manifest in many ways depending upon what we need, and according to our culture and how we are raised. But there is a current going through us and the planet in general, and it's the current of the Divine Feminine. It's important to also realize that it's all about compassion.

Myriah: It was the quest for the Beloved, and looking for the "next teacher" that propelled your journey, and ultimately led you to create the Peace Prayers and songs. Now that you have connected with the Beloved within, what propels you?

JT: The natural thing that happens when we discover this within ourselves is the overwhelming desire to share this with everyone. So I would say it's just to share my joy now.

Myriah: In THE SECRET OF THE BELOVED DISCIPLE you related a powerful experience of seeing and speaking to the Divine Mother in various people, from a child to an old man, a young girl and a woman. Do you continue to see the Divine Mother in others?

JT: I think this is really what this path is all about. Seeing the face of the divine in everyone that's in front of us. Once again we're talking about present reality, not just an idea of what a Divine Presence is. It doesn't mean anything unless we can look into the eyes of the person in front of us, and see how divine and holy they are. That's how we become the extension of that, by extending it with whoever is right in front of us. The beauty of this path is that we can do it wherever we are, knowing they are the beloved, too.

Myriah: You discussed how you used to believe that being spiritual and being monetarily poor went hand in hand, and that you overcame those ideas. What specific steps did you take to heal those beliefs?

JT: Well, let me talk about how that has shifted for me. Being a Franciscan there was a thing about voluntary poverty. That encompassed voluntary simplicity, and I still do practice voluntary simplicity, but that doesn't mean I don't have an abundant consciousness. I consider myself remarkably abundant, and I see that I have an abundant life. However, if you are just seeking a lot of money you still won't be happy. I have found that the more simply I live, the more I can be abundant in the things that really count.

Myriah: You speak throughout the book about following your intuition and your dreams. These are tools of Oneness that can be used by all people, and serve to connect all spiritual and religious paths. It is not often someone with your religious background speaks of using these tools, and that is very refreshing. Your comments?

JT: You're right, dreams are very powerful tools and many religious traditions have forgotten that. A lot of what is happening today is a return to many of the ancient ways and practices. One is realizing we communicate on very profound levels with ourselves, and it is important for us to be aware. Like previously. when I mentioned about being aware of what is going on right in front of us. Sometimes what is going on right in front of us is a dream, and these are as profound as anything else.

Myriah: Regarding the Emissaries of Light. The spoke of the wheel seems to represent various religious and spiritual pathways leading to Oneness, or the center of the wheel. What are your thoughts on this wheel?

JT: The wheel is in some ways still a mystery to me, and I think you described it very well. I also see it as a symbol of coming together of separate parts. When relating to the wheel, the further out on the spokes of the wheel, the more separate we seem. The more we are in the center, the closer we are together. I think the spiritual path is about that movement inward, and in the center there is no movement, there is just oneness.

Myriah: The image of this wheel is a powerful tool that connects us to these Emissaries of Light. Just by thinking of it connects one to the power of Love and Light. (For instance, when I was reading the book, my beloved and friend began having visions of this wheel, yet I had not discussed this book or that image with him!) Do you connect telepathically with them often? Or, how do you connect with them now?

JT: Yes. It just happens. It's not a conscious choice. I just feel that presence, and yet I don't identify that presence as separate. I don't perceive I am channeling something or someone separate, and yet it is one with me. It is important to take responsibility and realize there is nothing outside my mind, and I have the ability to access any part of that whole mind that I want. And then it takes on a different energy.

Myriah: In THE SECRET OF THE BELOVED DISCIPLE you begin to discuss multidimensionality, a natural by-product of Oneness. It is often challenging to relate to this 3D Earth reality once one opens to one's multidimensional self. Are you comfortable with multidimensionality? How do you handle these challenges? And which "one" of you is going to answer this question? haha.

JT: Haha, always a good question. We are multidimensional beings. A friend of mine likes to describe human beings as "dimensionally challenged." That's because we are accustomed to dealing with ourselves in a linear fashion, and fear of who we really are does that. The more we discover who we are and going into that truth, the more we discover all the aspects of ourselves. It's very natural.

Myriah: But are you challenged on this plane?

JT: No, I'm not challenged because sometimes I'm not so open. haha

Myriah: What is it like to sing the peace prayers?

JT: It's very powerful. I recognize that when I am singing the prayers I am channeling the energy of the prayers themselves. Many of these prayers have been used for thousands of years, and so there is a particular energy vibration. Then with the music added it becomes very powerful. It's such an honor to be able to do it, but I recognize it as a very ancient energy that's being channeled.

Myriah: Have you sung them as a focused prayer in the U.S.? And do you currently have a tour scheduled in the U.S.?

JT: Yes, in many places. 12/11/94 was the first place, and that was at the Peace Abbey outside of Boston. It was recorded and produced as a CD, but it's no longer in print. My tour schedule is available at www.emissaryoflight.com.

Myriah: I would imagine there are others who would love to tour and sing the prayers with you. How could this be possible for people to join you?

JT: I have no idea how this is going to evolve. It's not my project. I think we're just asked to show up, and this may very well take on a different direction, which will involve more people, which I am open to. I just don't know how that would happen at this time.

Myriah: It is my notion that we have everything we need as a child when we come into this Earth walk, and that we have only to re-member. What did you learn from your childhood that benefits you now?

JT: You know, many people bemoan their spiritual upbringing. My experience was positive. I didn't have a lot of the negative experiences that have pushed many people away. I was just able to breathe past the dysfunctional parts and stick with the core. That's what I like about the prayers; there is something at the core of every religion and there is a desire for peace. As a child I felt that profoundly and all I wanted to do was go to church. It gave me a grounded-ness. Today there are many people into the esoteric sciences but they aren't grounded. I think they just didn't have that in their past. My childhood brought me that, as well as discernment.

Myriah: You mention that you used to smoke pot, and refer to that time period as being a very depressed time for you. There are many people who find enlightened experiences from using marijuana. What are your thoughts on this now?

JT: Well, my use of pot did not stop in college. I've never been a big drug user, just pot. Smoking marijuana has been a very wonderful opening experience, and I don't think there is anything wrong with it. But just like anything it can be misused and become detrimental. At the same time, if a little bit opens something creative in us and moves us in very profound ways, it can be a positive experience. I think it's always about intent. I don't believe in relying upon drug experiences just for spiritual reasons. Though marijuana and other drugs can open doors, we have to be able to walk through those opened doors in a conscious way.

I refer to a quote from THE TEACHINGS OF DON JUAN by Carlos Castenada: "Didn't need to use drugs, you were just thick." Sometimes for some people it creates an opening, but it's certainly not the recommended way.

Myriah: Do you relate that all paths are divine, from the smoker to the user, to the drinker to the abstainer? Do you see the divine within all beings AS THEY ARE NOW?

JT: Absolutely. Everything leads to God if we let it. Alcoholism leads to God. Sometimes our pain is the most powerful path to God, because it makes us surrender quicker. It's all about who we are and our own individual journey.

Myriah: In your book, Maria told you that the experience of Christ is an energy, not a person. This is a key to the principles of Oneness. How have your peers in the Church responded to this Truth, as this varies significantly from what the Church teaches.

JT: From a religious perspective that is not true. I was recently with Pat Greenough who I entered the order with. Our discussion revealed two different perspectives from mainstream Christianity and esoteric Christianity; the only difference is one belief sees that we are all called to be the same. Whereas in mainstream they believe Jesus is something we are not. A quote within A COURSE IN MIRACLES from Jesus states: "The Christ is the extension of the love and the loveliness as God, otherwise known as you."

Myriah: That brings me to my next question. Something I have found challenging with some people of certain beliefs is their consistent act of placing anything to do with the Christ energy solely on Jesus Christ and a specific religious pathway. Not acknowledging their Oneness with Christ, or their ability to BE and UTILIZE this energy within themselves. Not remembering His words "you will do these things, and more." How do you handle people who feel this way?

JT: I just love them. My job is not to convince anyone of anything. My job is just to live this. St. Francis of Assisi states: "Our job is to teach what we know about God, and sometimes we even have to use words."

Myriah: Your work has taught many about the power of focused prayer. Your thoughts on this?

JT: I think we're coming to a new understanding of prayer, and that this very understanding is the most powerful force in this universe. The world is the extension of our individual and group mind, and is that way because we chose it to be. We can change the world through prayer. I am currently working on a book on this very topic with Gregg Braden and Doreen Virtue called PRAYING PEACE, and it will be available later this year. It is all about this, and that we are the creative extension of the mind of the divine.

Myriah: We at PlanetLightworker are always interested in how a spiritual Being of Love and Light handles their human experience. In order to bring you back down to Earth, haha, we would like to know what is your favorite:

• Peanut Butter: chunky (doesn't even care what brand)
• Popcorn: Orville Redenbacher
• Movie: Brother Sun and Sister Moon
• Book: The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran
• Song: That's a tough one. What comes to mind is the one that was a favorite when I was a kid. "Someone Save My Life Tonight." I love Elton John.
• Meal: lately it's been Indian food
• Place on Earth: Assisi, Italy and Ireland
• Relaxation Activity: Vegging out in front of the TV
• Where do you live: Joshua Tree, California
• Pets: no

Myriah: How old is your daughter, and what does she think of your work?

JT: 14 and she thinks I'm weird.

Myriah: What plans do you have for future books?

JT: PORTRAIT OF THE MASTER is about St. Francis and will be available in August.

Myriah: One sidenote James - since I have read this book, I have been consistently called Maria, like one of the main characters in your book. My name is pronounced like the wind Myriah, or like myrrh or Merlin. Recently the phone repairman called me Maria, and when I placed a telephone call last week to my editor, Sandie, she was sure I said my name was Maria. Haha. So I guess "she" is still playing through "others" for your fun and amusement. Does this happen often to you?

JT: Yea, people call me Maria all the time, haha. She's all over the place.

Myriah: Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers?

JT: Just that the summation of the Emissaries message and the message of Mary can be summed up in one word, and that one word is YES.

Jimmy Twyman is a Peace Troubadour, traveling around the globe, singing the peace prayers and giving workshops on the teachings of the Emissaries of Light. He shares their techniques for transmuting fear from the consciousness and anchoring peace within. For it is when we are peaceful within, that the world will reflect this peace outwardly.

For more information about James Twyman check out his web site at www.EmissaryOfLight.com.